?anana-shipping case.



I'. J'. SCHMITZ.

BANANA SHIPPING CASE.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 12, 190s.

933,206. Patented sept. 7, 1909.

A i I was.' I (Malfa/ y MFM/Mee e man nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn o c UNITED STATES FRANK'J. SCHMITZ, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

JANANALsHIrriNe CASE.

specification of Letters raient.

vPatented Sept. 7, 1909.

, Applicationfiled August 12, 1908. Serial No. 448,090.

" To all whom it may concern: v v

Be it known that I, FRANK J. SCHMITZ, `a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new anduseful Improvements in Banana-Shipping Cases, of Vp1 which the following is a full, true, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in banana shipping cases, and designs to provide a case of simple, cheap and substantial construction.

One of the objects of this vinvention is to greatly simplify and cheapen the cost of manufacture while at the same time greatly improving upon the construction.

To such end this invention conslsts 1n the several novel features of construction, com-v bination and arrangement of the ,various parts, a description of which will be found in the following specificationv and the essential features whereof will be `more particularly set forth in the claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the drawings accompanying this specification, in

which- Figure 1 is a central, longitudinal section taken through a banana shipping case. containing my improvements, Fig. 2 is a sectional perspective view of a fragment of the frame and cushioning bag, looking from the inside and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a fragment of the frame and bag looking from the outside.

In these views 10, represents a crate which is preferably constructed of longitudinally extending slats 11, and transverse connecting hoops 12, 12a, 12", 12, secured to the slats in any suitable manner, as for instance by nailing them thereto by nails 13. This provides a simple form of crate adapted to sustain and support the cushioning bag which is attached to the crate in a novel manner.

The cushioning bag is seen at 14, and comprises a main body portion 15, which extends between the hoops 12 and 12", a tapered bottom 16, andan open up er end or flap 17. The upper end or flap, ody andl bottom may be formed of one piece of fabric such as burlap, canvas or the like, or the flap and body may be formed of one piece and the tapered lower end of another and sewed thereto.

In securing the ba to the tophoop of the crate, the material o Vthe bag is folded'upon itself into a circumferential plait 18, which place as by nailing it by tacks or nails 19. The longitudinal slats are secured upon the top hoop after the bag has been tacked 1n ace.

The lower end of the body portion is secured to the hoop 12", by any suitable means here shown as cords 20, that are sewed around the hoop and through the material of the bag. By tightening up the cords of the loops, the bag may be stretched out to form a comparatively taut structure, thereby providing a cushioning means for the fruit which is contained within the bag.

By means of the particular method of fastening the upper end of the body of the bag to the top hoop, I am able to save considerable of the material of the bag, and also time and labor in assembling the parts. By carrying the circumferential plait over the upper edge of the top hoop and nailing it on the outer face thereof, I dispense with the necessity of stitching or sewing of the bag around the upper hoop. Furthermore, the bag hangs directly from the upper edge of the t-op hoop, and for this reason there is less tendency of the bag being torn loose from the hoop than where the Astrain is directly upon a seam or set of stitches which connect the bag with the hoop. The fold being nailed to the upper hoop on the outside leaves the bag free to bow inward from the top of the upper hoopv when the tension is applied to the loops 20, and provides a neat finish tothe upper end of the case.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. In a banana shipping case, the combination with a crate having an upper transverse connecting hoop, of a cushioning bag within said crate having a circumferential outwardly extending plait extending over the top of the upper hoop and secured solely to the outside thereof.

2. In a banana shipping case, the combination with a crate havlng an upper con- Y necting hoop, of a bag within the crate having an outwardly extending circumferential seamless plait between its ends, said plait being folded over the top of the upper hoop and down upon its outer side and tacked upon the outer side of said hoop.

3. In a banana shipping case, the combination with a crate comprising longitudinal slats and transverse connecting hoops,

is folded over .the top of the hoop, and then ydown on the outside thereof and secured 1n 2 Y w n 933,206

of a bag within said crate, having an outwardly extendingY circumferential Vplait intermediate its ends, said plait being` folded over the top of the uppermost hoop and tacked upon the outer face thereof and loops for connecting the VlowerV end of the bag with said crate and putting tension upon the bag between the upper inner edge of the uppermost hoop and said loops.

4. In a banana shipping ease, the Combination with a crate, comprising longitudinal slats and transverse connecting hoops, of a cushioning bag within said crate havingl an outwardly extending circumferential seamless plait intermediate its ends,

said plait being folded over the top of the uppermost hoop and secured upon the outer face thereof, between the slats and hoop, and loops connecting the bottom of the bag with the crate for putting tension upon the bag between the upper edge of the uppermost hoop and the lower end of the bag.

In witness whereof, I have executed the above application, at Chicago, county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 29th day of June, 1908.

FRANK J. SCHMITZ. Titnesses ALBERT PHALEN, ANNA HAs'rY. 

